8.04.2013

If

Amy Carmichael was a Irish lady who spent 55 years of her life ministering to the children & women of India at the Dohnavur Fellowship which she founded in 1901. I love to read about her life and read her books & poetry.


One of my favorite pieces is a collection of brief thoughts & poems titled "If." They challenge my heart afresh, each time I read them. I'm sharing a few that really spoke to my heart this evening, in this season of my life. There are so many areas of my life where I 'know nothing of Calvary love'! Do you find yourself in any of these?

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another;
if I can in any way slight another in conversation,
or even in thought,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

Pin it!
If I take offence easily;
if I am content to continue in cold unfriendliness,
though friendship be possible,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve,
talk of their weak points in contrast
perhaps with what I think of as my strong points;
if I adopt a superior attitude,
forgetting "Who made thee to differ?
and what hast thou that thou hast not received?"
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar can cause me
to speak an impatient, unloving word,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill
even one drop of bitter water,
however suddenly jolted.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me;
if my fellows hesitate to ask it
and turn to someone else,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

When an answer I did not expect
comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant,
I shrink back from it;
if the burden my Lord asks me to bear
be not the burden of my heart's choice, 
and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can easily discuss
the shortcomings and the sins of any;
if I can speak in a casual way
even of a child's misdoings,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth lest I lose affection,
or lest the one concerned should say,
"You do not understand",
or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness;
if I put my own good name
before the other's highest good,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me,
as it seems to me, unjustly,
forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself
they would condemn me much more,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.
[Amy Carmichael]

Desperate to know ever more of Calvary love,
for His glory!
~Lisha

I'm sharing this post at Growing HomeTitus 2sday, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising HomemakersHope in Every Season, & I Choose Joy!

[If this post has encouraged, blessed, or inspired you, please comment and feel free to share with friends.]

13 comments:

  1. So true. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing : )

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  3. Lovely! I'd love to see you at my link up From House to Home tomorrow at http://ichoosejoy.org
    --Gena

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  4. So beautiful and so convicting. Thanks for sharing. I'm pinning it.

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    1. Isn't it? She's one of my favorite authors! Thank you :)

      ~Lisha

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  5. She is definitely a hero of mine. What an amazing lady. Thank you for sharing this post! I am pinning as well!

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    1. She, Mary Slessor, and Gladys Aylward are the women I've taught my daughters about over and over - strong, faithful, and so dependent on the Lord to do great things. So worth emulating. Thanks for sharing it - praying that whoever reads it will be drawn more to Jesus and that Calvary Love. :)

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  6. Replies
    1. I know! She was quite a woman!

      I'm glad you stopped by, Lauren!
      ~Lisha :)

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  7. <3! I so enjoy reading about Amy Carmichael, and reading her writings. Her story and the heart she shares is such an encouragement, challenge and motivation! This is one of my favorite poems of hers. What a nice reminder today! Thank you for sharing! ~ Jenni

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    1. Her story is incredible, and I encourage my girls to have heroes like her. I'm thankful this was a blessing to you, Jenni!

      ~Lisha :)

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  8. Beautiful and very convicting. Thanks for sharing this poem.

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    1. You're so welcome, Gail! Amy Carmichael's story and her writings are such a treasure!

      Blessings!
      ~Lisha :)

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